A while back, I ventured down to our storage basement, which we affectionately call "The Abyss." I was met by a sea of strewn Legos, toys, scattered children's books, an unused weight set, and foosball and hockey tables blocked by piles of food storage.

When did this happen? I am surely without fault as Clutter Fairies make this mess while I sleep.

Anyway, I stomped upstairs and announced to the family it was time to DECLUTTER.

And then I forgot.

A few weeks later, we tried the pull the old, "If we do it fast, we can all go bowling" ploy. A miracle occurred and the basement was transformed.

If you have a room or a closet that needs to be decluttered but you'd rather avoid it, try using the VEERS formula — Visualize and Evaluate, Eliminate and Replace, Savor and Sustain — to get in and get it done!

First, quickly visualize the room. Take five minutes, using a pen and pad if necessary, and imagine the room without clutter. What does it look like? What activities happen there?

I visualized the basement with just the weight set and play tables — the food storage tucked in a storage closet and all children's toys in their rooms.

Next, quickly eliminate. The food storage was in the way of everything, so we assigned the older children to form a line and pass it through to the closet. (I acted as the organizer so we can later find said storage).

Each younger child was handed a big garbage bag or a tub and told pick up and sort for 15 minutes. If we were indecisive about a toy it went to charity or the garbage, and the rest went IMMEDIATELY into the children's bookcases.

Next, a quick clean. Some children vacuumed, others wiped down the weight set, and others snuck upstairs for a Popsicle.

Almost done, it was time for an extended savor. We took a minute and viewed the fabulous, sparkling clean room, and then raced to the air hockey and foosball tables that could now actually be used.

Last, the vital sustain. This is where you point to the room and have the people who will use it describe how it looks and where things belong. It also helps if you offer them a reward, like, "Whoever keeps this room the cleanest gets first dibs on PlayStation."

To make the cleanup go even faster, consider setting a time limit. Even better, set a timer.

Keep the project simple. And add a reward. (Ice cream sundaes are our favorite.).

These steps will help lighten the load. Of course, hiring the neighborhood teenagers isn't a bad idea either.

This week, enjoy decluttering a spot that is driving you mad. And then savor the joy of a job well done.

e-mail: lifechange@rfburst.com